If presidential elections were decided by popular vote instead of the Electoral College, Al Gore would have been elected president in 2000. How we choose a president profoundly impacts how campaigns are run, the importance of swing states and an election’s outcome. It’s certainly no surprise that the Electoral College vs. popular vote controversy has sparked considerable debate. As the issue surfaces heading into November, is it time to graduate from the Founding Father's Electoral College concept, or are popularity contests no way to choose a president?
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Make each vote actually count!
I like the Electorial College because ...
I really feel my vote would be more watered down than it is now. Basically, Chicago, New York City and other large metropolitan areas will determine the outcomes. Just take a look at those maps of the US after every Presidential election that is broken down by county. Its more RED than BLUE and it tells a story, but not necessarily the "whole" story.
What I would like to see is the electoral college changed to the following format (Presidential Election);
1. The winner of each congressional district (throughout the US) wins that Electoral College. This would negate the winner takes all as is now in most states.
2. The two Electoral College votes for US Senators (2 for each state) could either be;
a. Awarded to the candidate that has the most vote’s statewide (popular vote).
b. Awarded to the candidate that won the most congressional districts (may not necessarily be the popular vote winner).
c. Split the Electoral College votes among the top two candidates.
The problem is; The Presidential Election is a state run affair and it wouldn't work unless every state did it. Anyway, IMO it would truly represent a refection of the whole country, not just by the masses as it is now.
Would some of the elections have been changed in recent times? Dunno’, but the data is out there somewhere...
- John Q Citizen
February 20, 2009 2:07PM
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